The Chadron School Board has ratified a new 2-year agreement with its custodians, maintenance workers, and bus drivers that boosts starting pay by 44-cents, from $12.06 to $12.50, and increases each step in the salary scale the same amount.
Board President Tom Menke was part of the district negotiating team as a member of the Personnel Committee.
He thinks the contract with Bargaining Unit II of the Educational Support Professional Association is a good one with compromises by both sides.
There will be no step increases next year, just the 44-cent hike, and no change in the base salary the second year, only step increases. Menke calls it an experiment with an eye to the future.
New activity bus drivers will get at least $15.89 per hour straight time in the first year and $16.21 for the second while returning drivers will be paid $17.30 and 16.65 straight time.
The contract also has a $500 hiring bonus for new employees and adds one more vacation day after 15 years of employment for a total of 20.